Picks&Previews

What to watch, what to watch for and what not to miss!

COSI Science Festival

May 3-6

All around central Ohio and COSI

The annual science festival with community events across the Columbus area. About 10,000 “Learning Lunches” will be distributed, with supplies for five fun STEM activities along with other learning materials. The festival culminates in a “Big Science Celebration” on site at COSI on May 6. www.cosi.org

Jazz Arts Group presents Columbus Youth Jazz Final Concert

May 7, 1:30 p.m.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch, 96 S. Grant Ave.

The nationally renowned Columbus Youth Jazz program wraps up the spring semester with a performance at the Columbus Metropolitan Library featuring all four groups. This two-hour performance is free of charge. www.jazzartsgroup.org

Shadowbox Live presents Flower Power

Through June 4

Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St., Ste. 260 Shadowbox Live shares the joy of the 1960s and 1970s with Flower Power, a celebration of the influence of hippie culture and the music that inspired the greatest political and social movements of our time. www.shadowboxlive.org

Columbus Museum of Art presents Song of the Lark & the Art of Jules Breton

May 10, 2 p.m.

Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. Jules Breton was one of Vincent van Gogh’s favorite artists in 19th-century

France. Breton’s painting The Song of the Lark was declared “the most popular painting in America” according to a poll taken in 1934. A discussion of this and other works by Breton will be followed by music that complements the artist’s evocative imagery. www.columbusmuseum.org

Columbus Children’s Theatre presents School of Rock: The Musical May 12-19

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.

Dewey Finn is an out-of-work rock star posing as a substitute teacher a prestigious prep school. Dewey forms a rock band out of his fifth-grade students and attempts to conquer the Battle of the Bands after discovering they are talented musicians. www. columbuschildrenstheatre.org

Broadway in Columbus presents Annie

May 12-13

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theater attendees that sunshine is always right around the corner. Directed by Jenn Thompson, Annie features the iconic book and score of the initial production. columbus.broadway.com

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents Brahms & Shaw

May 13-14

Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. ProMusica’s season finale features the powerful music of Caroline Shaw and Johannes Brahms. Shaw became the youngest composer to win the Pulitzer Prize at age 30 and is one of the most inventive and engaging performers of today. www. promusicacolumbus.org

CAPA presents John Mellencamp

May 17, 7 p.m.

Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

John Mellencamp fell in love with music at an early age and was performing in local bars as a front man in a soul band by the time he was 14. Since then, he has become known for enduring smash hits such as “Jack & Diane,” “Hurts So Good” and “Small Town.” www.capa.com

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Welcome to Spring

May 19-20

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.

Ronald Jenkins takes the podium for his last concert as director of the Columbus Symphony Chorus, which he has guided into a mainstay of Columbus Symphony Orchestra programming over the last 40 years. www.columbussymphony.com

Columbus Dance Theatre presents Alice: A Wonderland Ballet

June 3, 3 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. Alice in Wonderland is adapted by the Columbus Dance Theatre group for a one- night ballet rendition of the iconic film. www.columbusdancetheatre.com

The New Albany Lecture Series: General John Kelly and Adm. James Stavridis

June 6

Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany

Since 2014, the series has brought leaders in public affairs, international affairs, health, history and the arts to central Ohio. Highly regarded members of the

John Mellencamp

U.S. military take the stage to discuss the future of the United States when it comes to national security. www.new albanyfoundation.org

Broadway in Columbus presents

To Kill A Mockingbird

June 6-11

Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of the titular book by Harper Lee has been heralded as “the most successful American play in Broadway history.” Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher has turned one of the greatest novels of all time into the one of the greatest plays of all time. columbus.broadway.com

Columbus Arts Festival

June 9-11

Genoa Park, 303 W Broad St.

Thousands of Ohioans return to downtown for this giant art-filled festival. With everything from stands, a giant piece of artwork and a fashion show, artists and artlovers alike will find something to enjoy. www.columbusartsfestival.org

June 17-18, 2023

Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm

Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm on the Village Green in Old Worthington at High Street & 161

Visit Gahanna presents Creekside

Blues & Jazz Festival

June 16-18

Creekside District

Fill your soul with good music with everthing from jazz and blues to soul and funk. With plenty of food and goods to buy, there’s plenty of fun for the weekend. www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com

Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Super Diamond: The Music of Neil Diamond

June 24, 7 p.m.

Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St. This tribute band has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, among other prominent programs, and joins the Picnic with the Pops lineup for the first time. www.columbussymphony.com

Lancaster Festival

July 20-29

Throughout Lancaster

Save The Date

Over the course of 10 days, the 2023 Lancaster Festival presents experiences such as bike rides, ArtWalks and an ice cream social. Andy Grammer (“Honey, I’m Good”) and the Lancaster Festival Orchestra perform at 8 p.m. July 24 at the Wendel Concert Stage, with fireworks to follow. The Zane Square Stage in downtown Lancaster will host a number of children’s activities, including puppets and art instruction. The festival culminates in a grand finale featuring Sheryl Crow (“All I Wanna Do,” “Soak Up the Sun”) at the Wendel Concert Stage. www. lancasterfestival.org

Come celebrate the Worthington Arts Festival with us as we make our triumphant return to the Village Green in Historic Old Worthington! Experience over 120 juried artists, food trucks, kids’ activities, and artist demonstrations at the 29th year of an event that has been ranked as one of the top 200 arts festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine.